Overs hoe-retainer



(No Model.)

- F. T. GUIHER.

OVBRSHOE RETAINER.

No. 520,985. Patented June 5, 1894.

i7 mm UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK T. GUIHEB, OF VVAYNE SBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.-

OVERSHOE=RETAINER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 520,985, dated June 5, 1894. Application filed December 4, 1893. Serial No- 492,662. (No model.)

useful improvements in retainers for rubber overshoes of that class which are designed for attachment to the shoe in such a manner as to take a hold on the under shoe and prevent the overshoe from coming off by slipping down at the heel.

It has for its objects among others to provide a simple device of this character which will better hold the shoe in place and which is so arranged with relation to the heel of the overshoe that as the foot is placed therein it tends to spread the overshoe at the heel and thus aid materially in the putting on of the shoe and yet holding the same securely agalnstslipping down and ofi at the heel. In order to afford a better hold on the heel of the undershoe I form the retainer with a coil or eye, which will serve further as an aid in drawing on the overshoe or in taking it off, also as a means for compensating for the weakening of the resiliency of the retainer. The retainer is attached within the overshoe with its arched portion extending at all times above and beyond the upper edge of the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof willbe specifically defined by the appended claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which,with the letters of reference marked thereon,'form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe with an overshoe provided with my retainer thereon. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of a portion of the overshoe with the retainer therein. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one form of the retainer, detached.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates an overshoe of ordinary construction.

My retainer is formed of a single piece of spring metal, preferably substantially circular in cross sectton withv its ends secured in any suitable manner within the shoe upon opposite sides of the heel portion, the ends being, if necessary, provided with eyes or loops 1) as shown to provide for the better attachment of the retainer B. The curved or arched portion B of the retainer is preferably provided with a loop or eye I) as shown to enable the same to obtain a better hold on the heel of the undershoe. The side portions of the retainer bear against the inner face of the overshoe upon opposite sides of the heel portion as seen in Fig. 2 and the arched or curved portion extends above and beyond the upper edge of the heel as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. By preference the side portions of the retainer are held to the inner wall of the overshoe between the ends of the upper edge of the shoe as seen at c in Fig. 2 to relieve the attachment at the ends fromthe strain in use, and for this purpose the side portions of the wire may be formed with the bonds at as seen in Fig. 3.

In operation, the retainer stands at all times with its curved or arched portion above and beyond the upper edge of the heel of the overshoe as shown. As the foot with itsshoe is placed within the overshoe it passes between the side portions of the retainer and by pressing upon the said side portions it serves to spread the heel of the overshoe and aid materially in the easy insertion of the foot therein; as the heel of the shoe passes the arched or curved portion of the retainer the latter springs up into the position shown 7 in Fig. 1 and grasps the rear portion of the shoe and holds the same firmly in position with relation to the overshoe so that the latteris held against slipping down and off of the foot. The retainer may serve as a means whereby the shoe may be hung up when not 1n use.

B (Fig. 3) is a wire which is secured in any suitable manner, to the loop or eye I) of the arched portion of the retainer and it has preferably a right angled extension at its free portion with its free end having alright angled to end adapted to he engaged by the opposite extension, substantially as specified. foot to press or draw down the retainer to In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein more readily free it from the shoe. presence of two witnesses.

WVhat I claim as new is- FRANK T GUIHER. In combination with an overshoe, a spring retainer secured thereto having an arched por- Witnesses: tion with an eye or loop at its center of a wire THOMAS C. BRADLEY, J12, removably secured in the eye of said arched J. C. GARARD. 

